RAISING ‘STAR’ KIDS: Get More Inspiration on Bringing Out The Very Best in Your Child

To inspire other parents, last week we brought you the amazing story of 8-year-old ANGELA OSAIGBOVO, a multiple award-winning scrabble player, athlete, budding writer and a straight A’s student, highlighting some of her several achievements, how her mum, Toyin Osaigbovo, discovered her skills and talents, her roles in helping her continue to get better and more. If you missed it, read here.

As promised last week, we will be sharing more stories online in subsequent weeks for extra doses of inspiration on bringing out the very best in your child.

Today, meet Kiki Hector-Fowobaje and his mum, Ololade Hector-Fowobaje.

An award-winning scrabble player, 11-year-old Kiki Hector-Fowobaje is one of the top students to beat in his class. He has also won in 100 and 400 metre race.

Reliving the journey to Kiki’s successes, his mum tells us, “I was particular about the extra-curricular offered in his primary school. They had several and we canvassed for more. When scrabble was introduced, I was ecstatic. So, he started playing when he was about 8 years. Before then, he took classes in Taekwondo and was a boy scout. I remember the first competition he went for, just a few weeks after he joined the scrabble team. He didn’t do well and he came home miserable and sobbing. I calmed him down and told him the winners didn’t turn out like that in one day; that he would need to train harder and take his preparation a notch higher. That became the turning point for him as he rolled up his sleeves and trained regularly with his classmate who won at that particular competition. They would play after school before I picked him up. He realized he had more work to do. He participated in a Lagos State tourney months later and his games improved remarkably. Soon after, he was invited to play the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Dubai in 2013 where over 140 youths from all over the world participated. He competed with long term players, some of whom were as old as age 16 -17 years. The drill and intensity of that event was all he needed to be transformed.”

Excerpts from our interview with Kiki and his mum

What inspires you to want to be the best at what you do?

Kiki: For scrabble, my mum and personal instructor inspire me and for my academics, my parents. My parents encourage my siblings and I a lot. Generally, I want to be successful in life, so that inspires me to work hard.

What other hobbies do you have?

Kiki: Apart from playing scrabble, I really love table tennis, basketball, soccer and chess. I participate in all these in school; I’m happy my school has facilities for all of them. I love running too. I love all kinds of sports. I also compose songs.

What do you do after school?

Kiki: I cool off for like 15 minutes, check like two or more words in my scrabble dictionary then get to my homework. When I’m done, I read all the notes I took in class that day. Then, I take dinner if I don’t eat in between my studying. Later, I gist with my mum and siblings. After that, I read my devotional or Bible, pray alone or with my siblings and go to bed. I don’t watch TV Mondays to Thursdays, except when Chelsea, my favourite team, is playing during the week or if there is a major soccer match. I watch TV only at the weekend, Friday to Sunday.

What do you do to consistently get better?

Kiki: For scrabble, I learn new words regularly from my scrabble dictionary, work with a personal instructor and attend camps during the holidays. I also attend as many competitions as I can and ensure I play with adults to make my games more challenging. My mum also pasted cardboards with unique words all over my bedroom. I play with one of my close friends regularly too. For my academics, I study everyday and sometimes wake up earlier to finish up my study schedule. I also use scrabble apps like Zyzzyva on my computer.

What would you like to become in the future?

Kiki: Right now, I fancy several professions, but I think I may be an accountant, architect or footballer. I guess I will make up my mind when I get to Senior Secondary School.

Kiki’s mum:

What would you say has helped Kiki get to this point?

“Apart from the regular games in school, we got him a private instructor who trained him for two hours (with few others) every weekend during the school session and more during the holiday. Then, I ensured he wrote down at least five words from his dictionary daily. His dad also played with him regularly and downloaded a word unscrambler for him on his phone to aid his word-power. We also did spelling bees every other day during the holiday.

By the time he went for the Lagos Ibile Games and the Godswill Akpabio tourney in Uyo within weeks of each other, he came out with spectacular wins. Now, he is one of the recognized Lagos State Youth scrabble players.”

How has playing scrabble rubbed off on his personality and performance at school?

“It has helped my child tremendously to be diligent, hard working, confident, and focused. Plus, they build up critical thinking skills with these games; it’s not just a game of words but also of strategy and logic, just like chess. All these have impacted positively on his academics and personality as a whole.”

How do you strike the needed balance between extracurricular and academics?

“My most favourite quote to my children has always been ‘There is a time for everything.’  I have taught them to give everything its time. I have also taught them that their academics come first, so all other things have to follow. So, we give everything its time. Planning is key; we schedule intensive trainings for holidays for scrabble and all, and when school is in session we concentrate more on academics. We make sure though that he attends any scrabble tournament that takes place during the session. Then at school, he plays chess at the extracurricular hours just before closing on Tuesdays. He plays table-tennis after school for an hour also on Tuesdays. Fridays, he plays basketball after school as well. Everything is balanced and does not affect his academics in any negative way.”

More to come…